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enMercy Doc Pleads Skip the Sugary Treats this Halloweenhttp://www.mercy.net/newsroom/2013-10-23/mercy-doc-pleads-skip-the-sugary-treats-this-halloween
<div class="field field-name-field-story-tags field-type-taxonomy-term-reference field-label-above"><div class="field-label">Tags:&nbsp;</div><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even"><a href="/mercy-top-news">Mercy Top News</a></div></div></div><div class="field field-name-field-files field-type-file field-label-above"><div class="field-label">Files:&nbsp;</div><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even"><span class="file"><img class="file-icon" alt="" title="image/jpeg" src="/modules/file/icons/image-x-generic.png" /> <a href="http://www.mercy.net/sites/default/files/files/20817.jpg" type="image/jpeg; length=60306">20817.jpg</a></span></div></div></div><div class="field field-name-field-story-media-contact field-type-node-reference field-label-above"><div class="field-label">Media Contact:&nbsp;</div><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even"><a href="/newsroom/joanne-smith">Joanne Smith</a></div></div></div><div class="field field-name-body field-type-text-with-summary field-label-hidden" itemprop="description" ><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even"><div class="caption right">
<p><img alt="" src="/sites/default/files/resize/files/20817-300x210.jpg" style="width: 300px; height: 210px;" width="300" height="210" /></p>
<p>Dr. Jeannine Cobb, obesity medicine physician,<br />
treats her Halloween guests to healthy snacks,<br />
like peanuts, raisins, cheese sticks and jerky.</p>
</div>
<p>While Halloween comes just once a year, physicians warn the candy intake frenzy synonymous with trick-or-treating is just part of an alarming pattern of poor nutrition choices creating a health crisis for our children.</p>
<div>“Talk about scary,” said Mercy Clinic’s Dr. Jeannine Cobb, a certified obesity medicine physician. “Obesity in our kiddos is reaching epidemic status. In fact, many health experts predict today’s children will be the first generation in America to have a shorter life expectancy than their parents – due in large part to chronic obesity and its complications.”</div>
<div> </div>
<div>A grandmother of nine who has persevered through her own battle with obesity, Dr. Cobb is passionate about teaching others how to make healthy lifestyle choices and set good examples for the little ones who look up to them. She campaigns vehemently against sugary, empty-calorie, low-nutrition foods. Traditional Halloween candy ranks at the top of her list of offenders.</div>
<div> </div>
<div>“Typical Halloween candy is nothing but sugar disguised in many forms,” said Dr. Cobb. “It basically has no redeeming value whatsoever. In fact, sugar and starch in the diets of our children are putting them at risk for all the diseases which were long thought to be limited to obese adults, such as type 2 diabetes which now affects more than 500,000 children in the United States.”</div>
<div> </div>
<div>Other bad habits luring our children into the nutritional danger zone, according to Dr. Cobb:</div>
<ul><li>
<div>Drinking sodas and juices loaded with sugar</div>
</li>
<li>
<div>Eating too many processed foods containing high fructose corn syrup – cookies, chips, ice cream and candies</div>
</li>
<li>
<div>Regular consumption of white flour products (pasta, pizza, etc.) and starchy vegetables like potatoes</div>
</li>
<li>
<div>Eating fast food</div>
</li>
<li>
<div>Snacking late at night</div>
</li>
<li>
<div>Not getting enough physical activity to offset calorie intake</div>
</li>
<li>
<div>Not getting enough sleep</div>
</li>
</ul><div> She noted that research shows children hang onto their bad habits as they grow. Children who are obese are more likely to be obese as adults.</div>
<div> </div>
<div>“I know parents are often overwhelmed as it is, and to throw in an expectation that they learn everything there is to know about childhood nutrition is unrealistic,” she said. “But simply monitoring these habits and steering kids in a healthier direction can make a big difference in their health not only today, but down the road. And it’s important to remember that parents – and grandparents – are the role models. We have to lead by example.”</div>
<div> </div>
<div>A good place to start is under the front porch light this Halloween, said Dr. Cobb, noting there are many healthier alternatives for the trick-or-treat bowl this year, including: raisins, dried fruits, sugar-free gum and mints, cheese sticks, jerky, granola and sunflower seeds.</div>
<div> </div>
<div>“Don’t worry if they turn up their noses at a packet of dried fruit,” she said. “We have to start somewhere to turn around this frightening trend. You’ll feel better knowing you’ve sent the right message to your trick-or-treaters, and their parents may even thank you.”</div>
</div></div></div><div class="field field-name-field-show-ems-sitewide field-type-list-boolean field-label-above"><div class="field-label">Show EMS Sitewide:&nbsp;</div><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even">Yes!</div></div></div>Wed, 23 Oct 2013 12:00:00 +0000jcox20817 at http://www.mercy.netEnd Your Summer Bite-Free http://www.mercy.net/newsroom/2013-08-30/end-your-summer-bite-free
<div class="field field-name-field-story-tags field-type-taxonomy-term-reference field-label-above"><div class="field-label">Tags:&nbsp;</div><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even"><a href="/category/tags/children">Children</a></div></div></div><div class="field field-name-field-files field-type-file field-label-above"><div class="field-label">Files:&nbsp;</div><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even"><span class="file"><img class="file-icon" alt="" title="image/jpeg" src="/modules/file/icons/image-x-generic.png" /> <a href="http://www.mercy.net/sites/default/files/files/tick-20434.jpg" type="image/jpeg; length=37080" title="tick-20434.jpg">Tick</a></span></div></div></div><div class="field field-name-field-story-media-contact field-type-node-reference field-label-above"><div class="field-label">Media Contact:&nbsp;</div><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even"><a href="/newsroom/david-obrien">David O&#039;Brien</a></div></div></div><div class="field field-name-body field-type-text-with-summary field-label-hidden" itemprop="description" ><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even"><div class="caption right">
<p><img alt="" src="/sites/default/files/files/tick-20434.jpg" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS',Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 1.2; width: 252px; height: 168px;" width="252" height="168" /></p>
</div>
<p>Labor Day may mark the end of summer, but there’s still time for tick bites unless families take precautions. <br /><br /><span style="font-size: 14px; line-height: 1.2;">The end of summer and beginning of fall are a great time for outdoor activities, but that means keeping company with outdoor pests, including those creepy, crawly external parasites known as ticks. <a class="colorbox-node healthwise" href="/healthinfo/str2459">Rocky Mountain spotted fever</a>, <a class="colorbox-node healthwise" href="/healthinfo/not40940">ehrlichiosis</a>, <a class="colorbox-node healthwise" href="/healthinfo/stt11143">tularemia</a> and <a class="colorbox-node healthwise" href="/healthinfo/zm6245">Lyme Disease</a> are common tick-borne illnesses in the Midwest. They can affect kids and adults, although some may have a more potent effect on kids.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-size: 14px; line-height: 1.2;">Tick bites can lead to rashes, fevers, chills, aches and pains with a severity and duration ranging from mild to serious. Recently, two cases of a new tick-borne illness, the <a href="http://www.cdc.gov/ncezid/dvbd/heartland/" target="_blank">Heartland Virus</a>, made headlines. The virus is characterized by low white blood cell counts, fever, chills and diarrhea.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-size: 14px; line-height: 1.2;">“The risk of acquiring a tick-borne illness really depends on what type of tick bit you and how long it was attached,” said Mercy Clinic pediatrician <a href="/doctor/marissa-christine-stock-md" target="_blank">Marissa Stock, MD</a>. “If a rash develops at the site where the tick was, or you get a fever in the days or weeks after a tick bite, you should see a doctor.”</span><br /><br /><span style="font-size: 14px; line-height: 1.2;">Dr. Stock recommends that families take precautions to avoid tick bites. “You can reduce your chances of getting a tick-borne illness by using repellents, checking yourself and your little ones for ticks and showering after being outdoors,” she said. </span><br /><br /><span style="font-size: 14px; line-height: 1.2;">These recommendations are from the Centers for Disease Control and the American Academy of Pediatrics:</span></p>
<ul><li style="margin-left: 0.25in;">Use a <a class="colorbox-node healthwise" href="/healthinfo/uf4815">repellent</a> with DEET and follow package instructions. Repellents containing 20 percent or more DEET (N, N-diethyl-m-toluamide) can protect for several hours. The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends using a product with less than 30 percent DEET on children. Insect repellents are not recommended for children younger than 2 months of age.</li>
<li style="margin-left: 0.25in;">Do not use products that combine DEET with sunscreen. Using the products together can overexpose a child to DEET and the DEET may make the sun protection factor (SPF) less effective.</li>
<li style="margin-left: 0.25in;">Use products containing permethrin to kill ticks on clothing and outdoor equipment. Permethrin can be used to treat boots, clothing and camping gear and remains protective through several washings. Permethrin-containing products should not be applied to the skin.</li>
<li style="margin-left: 0.25in;">After being outside, check clothing for ticks, and run clothing through the dryer on high heat for about an hour to kill any ticks that might have been missed.</li>
<li style="margin-left: 0.25in;">Take a shower. Showering within two hours after being outside has been shown to reduce risks for Lyme disease and helps wash off unattached ticks.</li>
<li style="margin-left: 0.25in;">Check for ticks after being outdoors.</li>
</ul><p><span style="font-size: 14px; line-height: 1.2;">“If you find a tick, be careful about how you remove it,” Dr. Stock </span><span style="font-size: 14px; line-height: 1.2;">said</span><span style="font-size: 14px; line-height: 1.2;">. “The best way to remove a tick is to use tweezers to grasp the tick as close to the skin's surface as possible, pull it straight out and then clean the bite area with soap and water.”</span><br /><br /><span style="font-size: 14px; line-height: 1.2;">People can take additional precautions by keeping yards trimmed, deterring wildlife and using bug sprays as directed. Family pets should be on flea and tick preventatives to keep them from tracking pests into the home.</span></p>
</div></div></div><div class="field field-name-field-show-ems-sitewide field-type-list-boolean field-label-above"><div class="field-label">Show EMS Sitewide:&nbsp;</div><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even">Yes!</div></div></div>Fri, 30 Aug 2013 14:37:47 +0000popebl20434 at http://www.mercy.netMore Potassium? Orange or Banana?http://www.mercy.net/newsroom/2013-08-23/more-potassium-orange-or-banana
<div class="field field-name-field-story-tags field-type-taxonomy-term-reference field-label-above"><div class="field-label">Tags:&nbsp;</div><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even"><a href="/category/tags/sports-medicineorthopedics">Sports Medicine/Orthopedics</a></div></div></div><div class="field field-name-field-files field-type-file field-label-above"><div class="field-label">Files:&nbsp;</div><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even"><span class="file"><img class="file-icon" alt="" title="image/jpeg" src="/modules/file/icons/image-x-generic.png" /> <a href="http://www.mercy.net/sites/default/files/files/orange-or-banana-20381.jpg" type="image/jpeg; length=46023" title="orange-or-banana-20381.jpg">Orange or Banana</a></span></div></div></div><div class="field field-name-field-story-media-contact field-type-node-reference field-label-above"><div class="field-label">Media Contact:&nbsp;</div><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even"><a href="/newsroom/nancy-corbett">Nancy Corbett</a></div></div></div><div class="field field-name-body field-type-text-with-summary field-label-hidden" itemprop="description" ><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even"><div class="caption right">
<p><img alt="" src="/sites/default/files/files/orange-or-banana-20381.jpg" style="line-height: 1.2; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS',Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; width: 302px; height: 207px;" width="302" height="207" /></p>
</div>
<p><strong>By Mercy's Tina Rockhold</strong></p>
<p>Surprise! Oranges have more potassium on average than bananas.<br /><br /><span style="LINE-HEIGHT: 1.2; FONT-SIZE: 14px">“Reach for the orange,” suggests Mercy Clinic’s <a href="/doctor/brendon-dean-mccollom-do" target="_blank">Dr. Brendon McCollom</a>, a family medicine physician who specializes in sports medicine.</span><br /><br /><span style="LINE-HEIGHT: 1.2; FONT-SIZE: 14px">After an intense workout, oranges help replenish potassium and electrolytes. Normal levels of potassium in the body keep muscle cramps at bay, plus help the heart beat regularly, and reduce the risk of kidney stones and bone loss. </span><br /><br /><span style="LINE-HEIGHT: 1.2; FONT-SIZE: 14px">Low potassium levels (hypokalemia) can wreak more havoc than a pain in your backside. Fatigue, confusion and problems with muscle coordination can also be attributed to low levels of potassium.</span><br /><br /><span style="LINE-HEIGHT: 1.2; FONT-SIZE: 14px">While oranges tend to have more potassium, both are good sources of potassium.</span></p>
</div></div></div><div class="field field-name-field-show-ems-sitewide field-type-list-boolean field-label-above"><div class="field-label">Show EMS Sitewide:&nbsp;</div><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even">Yes!</div></div></div>Fri, 23 Aug 2013 05:00:00 +0000popebl20381 at http://www.mercy.netMercy Idol Competitionhttp://www.mercy.net/newsroom/2012-05-11/mercy-idol-competition
<div class="field field-name-field-story-tags field-type-taxonomy-term-reference field-label-above"><div class="field-label">Tags:&nbsp;</div><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even"><a href="/category/tags/giving-st-louis">Giving - St. Louis</a></div><div class="field-item odd"><a href="/category/tags/giving-washington">Giving - Washington</a></div></div></div><div class="field field-name-field-files field-type-file field-label-above"><div class="field-label">Files:&nbsp;</div><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even"><span class="file"><img class="file-icon" alt="" title="image/jpeg" src="/modules/file/icons/image-x-generic.png" /> <a href="http://www.mercy.net/sites/default/files/files/co-worker-stephanie-lacadin-named-the-first-mercy-idol-6250.jpg" type="image/jpeg; length=55837" title="co-worker-stephanie-lacadin-named-the-first-mercy-idol-6250.jpg">Co-worker Stephanie Lacadin named the first Mercy Idol</a></span></div></div></div><div class="field field-name-field-story-media-contact field-type-node-reference field-label-above"><div class="field-label">Media Contact:&nbsp;</div><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even"><a href="/newsroom/bethany-pope">Bethany Pope</a></div></div></div><div class="field field-name-body field-type-text-with-summary field-label-hidden" itemprop="description" ><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even"><h2>Mercy Celebrates Health Care Week</h2>
<div class="caption right">
<p><img alt="" src="/sites/default/files/resize/files/co-worker-stephanie-lacadin-named-the-first-mercy-idol-6250-278x268.jpg" style="WIDTH: 278px; HEIGHT: 268px" title="" height="268" width="278" /></p>
<p>Co-worker Stephanie Lacadin named first Mercy Idol</p>
</div>
<p>Mercy is celebrating National Health Care Week (May 6-12) by providing fun events and laughs for co-workers. Along with a charity raffle, games and spa treatments, eight finalists competed to become the first Mercy Idol. </p>
<p>Fashioned after “American Idol,” Mercy Idol auditions started in April with a total of 42 co-workers. Judges narrowed the field to eight finalists who competed today at Mercy Hospital St. Louis. The finalists, who included Greg Crittenden, Deborah Edwards, Dr. Jason Hand, Meho Pervan, Derron Saunders, Stephanie Lacadin, Phyllis Locy and James Wolff, made it so difficult for judges that in a last minute decision all eight finalists received $500. Stephanie Lacadin, who works in nutrition and dietary services, was named the first Mercy Idol.</p>
<p>Former “American Idol” contestant Nikko Smith was on hand for a live performance and Angela Winbush, R&amp;B artist and producer, emceed the event. The finals were simulcast for co-workers at off-site offices and Mercy Hospital Washington.</p>
<p>Along with the fun, Mercy co-workers also are giving back to the community during Health Care Week. The money raised from a 50/50 raffle will benefit Alternative to Living in a Violent Environment (ALIVE) and Mercy Family Center in New Orleans. Canned goods and personal care items collected will be donated to Mercy Neighborhood Ministry and McAuley Clinic.</p>
<p>“Mercy co-workers work hard caring for our patients throughout the year,” said Frank Lenoir, vice president for human resources for Mercy East Communities. “Health Care Week is our opportunity to thank them for what they do each and every day.”</p>
<h2>Coverage</h2>
<ul><li><a href="http://www.stltoday.com/news/multimedia/videos/#vmix_media_id=143129451" target="_blank">Stltoday.com</a></li>
<li><a href="http://www.ksdk.com/news/article/319479/3/Mercy-hosts-own-version-of-American-Idol" target="_blank">KSDK</a></li>
<li><a href="http://crevecoeur.patch.com/blog_posts/mercy-celebrates-health-care-week-with-mercy-idol" target="_blank">Creve Coeur Patch</a></li>
</ul></div></div></div><div class="field field-name-field-show-ems-sitewide field-type-list-boolean field-label-above"><div class="field-label">Show EMS Sitewide:&nbsp;</div><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even">Yes!</div></div></div>Fri, 11 May 2012 19:20:46 +0000popebl6250 at http://www.mercy.netMercy Children’s Starts Telemedicinehttp://www.mercy.net/newsroom/2012-04-26/mercy-childrens-starts-telemedicine
<div class="field field-name-field-story-tags field-type-taxonomy-term-reference field-label-above"><div class="field-label">Tags:&nbsp;</div><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even"><a href="/category/tags/children">Children</a></div></div></div><div class="field field-name-field-files field-type-file field-label-above"><div class="field-label">Files:&nbsp;</div><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even"><span class="file"><img class="file-icon" alt="" title="image/jpeg" src="/modules/file/icons/image-x-generic.png" /> <a href="http://www.mercy.net/sites/default/files/files/john-mantovani-md-6138.jpg" type="image/jpeg; length=40850" title="john-mantovani-md-6138.jpg">John Mantovani MD</a></span></div></div></div><div class="field field-name-field-story-media-contact field-type-node-reference field-label-above"><div class="field-label">Media Contact:&nbsp;</div><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even"><a href="/newsroom/bethany-pope">Bethany Pope</a></div></div></div><div class="field field-name-field-story-practices field-type-node-reference field-label-above"><div class="field-label">Practices:&nbsp;</div><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even"><a href="/practice/mercy-childrens-hospital-springfield">Mercy Children&#039;s Hospital Springfield</a></div></div></div><div class="field field-name-body field-type-text-with-summary field-label-hidden" itemprop="description" ><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even"><div class="caption right">
<p><img alt="" src="/sites/default/files/files/john-mantovani-md-6138.jpg" style="width: 300px; height: 137px;" title="" width="300" height="137" /></p>
<p><a href="/doctor/john-f-mantovani-md">Dr. John Mantovani</a></p>
</div>
<p>Mercy and Mercy Children’s Hospital are working to make care more convenient for patients in rural areas allowing them to stay closer to home when they need specialists. The first pediatric neurology consult happened on Wednesday, April 25. <a href="/doctor/john-f-mantovani-md" target="_blank">Dr. John Mantovani</a>, pediatric neurologist with Mercy Clinic and chairman of pediatrics for Mercy Children’s Hospital, conducted the consult from St. Louis with a patient in Springfield.</p>
<p>“I loved the ability to connect with the family in Springfield and help with that child's care,” Dr. Mantovani said. “I'm very enthusiastic about this approach and think there's incredible potential.”</p>
<p>The telemedicine system is set up for pediatric specialist consults in Springfield’s NICU, PICU and pediatric floor. This is the first step in creation of a Mercy Children’s Hospital, Mercy-wide telemedicine network that will provide pediatric specialty care in every community served by Mercy.</p>
<p><em><a href="/node/1817">Mercy Children’s Hospital</a> is designated by National Association of Children’s Hospitals and Related Institutions (NACHRI) as a “children’s hospital-within-a-hospital,” located on the Mercy Hospital St. Louis campus. Mercy Children’s is one of only 250 children’s hospitals in the U.S. and the only one in St. Louis County. </em></p>
<p><em>Mercy is the eighth largest Catholic health care system in the U.S. and serves more than 3 million people annually. Mercy includes 31 hospitals, nearly 300 outpatient facilities, 38,000 co-workers and 1,700 integrated physicians in Arkansas, Kansas, Missouri and Oklahoma. Mercy also has outreach ministries in Louisiana, Mississippi and Texas. </em></p>
<h2> Coverage</h2>
<ul><li><a href="http://www.ksdk.com/news/local/story.aspx?storyid=318546" target="_blank">KSDK, St. Louis</a></li>
</ul></div></div></div><div class="field field-name-field-show-ems-sitewide field-type-list-boolean field-label-above"><div class="field-label">Show EMS Sitewide:&nbsp;</div><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even">Yes!</div></div></div>Thu, 26 Apr 2012 20:07:42 +0000limmekus6138 at http://www.mercy.net